Harness racing returns

Harness racing is returning to closed country Victorian tracks from this weekend.

Seven clubs had their meetings transferred to neighbouring clubs in 2005 but have campaigned since for the return of meetings to their local track.

The Coalition promised to return cups meetings to local communities and Ouyen will be the first on Sunday night.

It will be followed by Wangaratta and Boort in March, then Wedderburn, St Arnaud and Gunbower later this year.

Racing Minister Dennis Napthine says if the cups are successful, it potentially paves the way for more meetings.

"But initially let's get the cup meetings back there, let's have a great day, let's have great attendances and let's convince harness racing authorities that more meetings might be a possibility," he said.

Ouyen will host its first harness racing event in seven years on Sunday, with the return of its Pacing Cup.

Former club president Geoff Kay led Ouyen's campaign for the return of racing and says Sunday's cup will be a community celebration.

"When we had our last meeting here seven years ago I think we had 700 there, so I would expect a lot more ... we don't have many social days and this is one we can build on and make a big day of it," he said.

Mr Kay says much has changed since the club last raced on its home track.

"It was a bit of a shock what we had to do in terms of bringing it all up to oh and s [occupational health and safety] standard, all different fencing horses segregated from the public, so we've had to do all that ... we're lucky we had some great people helping us and in about two months we've put it all together," he said.